Aircraft knowledge for cabin crews electrical systems Joha Rahman http://new-airhostess.blogspot.com/

The needs to know As a cabin crew or air hostess you may receive questions on electrical system on the aircraft. This can come out of curiosity or the needs of the travelling passengers. The passengers may need to charge up their hand phones or computers. A basic knowledge of the electrical system can help to answer the questions.

Uses of the electricity in an aircraft. 1. Electricity is necessary for the operation of the aircraft. Power the computers Power indication system Navigation system and radio 2. Electricity required for the cabins For the lightings For the galleys to warm up the foods For entertainment systems

Where the electrical power comes from In flight, the generators are driven by the engines to provide the power. One generator per engine. The speed of the generators are kept constant by a unit to make sure the frequency remains the same. Another generator is driven by an additional small engine. It can power the whole aircraft on ground as well as in flight. On ground, the power can come from a ground connections. Emergency battery is provided.

About The electrical power on aircraft Most aircrafts operate using an AC system. The voltage is 115/200 400 hertz DC systems (28 v DC ) are used for some equipments. The power are normally divided into buses, as many as the engines. Then they are paralleled for load sharing. The DC is produced from the AC by a rectifying process.

Power for passengers equipments. Equipments can be installed to produce the 115 v or 240 like the domestic power. The passengers can use it for their shavers and other equipments

Electric power in emergency A battery or batteries are provided that will support the emergency navigation and communication. The engines are able to function with the emergency. Some are fitted with emergency generator. Total electrical power failure is rare, due to the design concepts used.

The Resource Blog site: http://new-airhostess.blogspot.com/2011/02/aircraft-electrical-system.html The author had retired form 35 years career in an airline and now focused on blogging. eMail : mktg@joharahman.com